career advice

[Lao Tzu]

i need career advice. I know this is a chat board, but it is laced with 'smart' people who have probably faced the same problems i am facing now.

I want to be involved in science somehow. I would like to see myself with a (hopefully) Ph.D. in chemistry, biology, or some other life science and doing research towards a laudable goal in 15 years.

However, in the meantime i just want a career that pays at least $14 an hour, so i am looking into an associates of science in nursing, where the starting wage is $21 an hour.

Academically, school is nothing, but the program doesn't begin until fall of 2003, which means i have 1 year to kill. Because i love college i can probably fit 45 credit hours into 1 year. Basically, in the time i need to get an associates in nursing i can get a bachelors in anything.

Because i want to be involved in science, should i just switch from nursing to a bachelors in chemistry, biology, or some other life science? Or should i look into another associates program that pays $15 an hour (lab technician, for example), or should i wait out the nursing application process.

My most important question is this

ARE THERE REALISTIC CAREER OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH A BACHELORS IN CHEMISTRY OR BIOLOGY?

I figure since i want to get a bachelors in some type of science, i might as well do it now, but i don't know what i can do with it (BESIDES TEACHING ANYONE, FUCK TEACHING ).

 

[Norman Bates]

I did chemistry for a semester, but i didn´t like it, especially the lab work, and quit.
Back then people said that chances for a good job in science is in general good. On the other hand here in Germany people are saying this for about 5 years without the job market really getting good.
Chemistry students back then were advised to go for a dr. rer. nat. (=ph.d. i think) if they want a job in R&D.
Compared to biology, chances for chemists are supposed to be better if u want to do medical research. At least that said the chemists, i haven´t heard the biologists on it.
Good luck with it.

 

[huntmaster]

I am not sure, but whatever you decide I am sure that you will be great at it. You seem to be pretty darn sharp Nord.

Follow your interests and you cannot go wrong.

 

[Bigsatan13]

Yes, underground drug labs.

 

[Lao Tzu]

I am not sure, but whatever you decide I am sure that you will be great at it. You seem to be pretty darn sharp Nord.

Follow your interests and you cannot go wrong.

thanks man. I am thinking of doing a double major of chemistry & biology (hopefully microbiology). about 2/3 of the classes are the same, so i'd get 2 B.S. degrees for 170 credit hours.

 

[WODIN]

Become a Lion Tamer!!!

 

[manny78]

you wanna make 14$/hour ? no need for a career to make that money.....

 

[mrbill]

nordstrom...with your background in chem. and bio. and your interest in the medical field why not go to med school? You can do research or go into other areas and the money is obviously very good.

 

[Prometheus]

if its possible, why not consider Engineering (Biomedical or Chemical)? academically flexible curriculum, and a very good base to move forward to a doctorate in the future. jobs are always available for engineers - very realistic career options, and the money is above average to great.

the con is that its an incredibly difficult curriculum and most people don't have the mindset for it - but if you love science and like to study.....

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

My most important question is this

ARE THERE REALISTIC CAREER OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH A BACHELORS IN CHEMISTRY OR BIOLOGY?

Align yourself with the science side of pharmaceuticals. They have the biggest dollars and the highest budgets.

Maybe you could get into some medical or scientific writing, or at least help out some PhD's with it...

Well, thats's what I'd do if I were in your situation. Good luck.